Cannabis Inhalation Clinical Trial Proposal -
MS Medical Cannabis Sciences & Therapeutics
This artifact was developed as part of my master’s in medical Cannabis Sciences & Therapeutics at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. The project involved designing a compliant, ethics-centered clinical trial evaluating inhaled cannabis, requiring meticulous attention to participant safety, regulatory oversight, and risk communication.
Overview:
The assignment required every student to develop a clinical trial proposal in cannabis; I chose inhalation delivery methods due to my curiosity about the non-cannabinoid components in cannabis, such as contaminants, fillers, preservatives, and heavy metals.
This topic allowed me to explore the complex interplay between cannabis composition, human health, and safety protocols, while also sharpening my ability to communicate scientifically and ethically sensitive information.
Purpose & Rationale:
Strengthened my ability to communicate high-risk, high-regulation health research clearly, ethically, and persuasively.
Reinforced skills in audience-tailored messaging, a core competency for strategic, crisis, and health communication contexts.
Demonstrated the intersection of scientific research and professional communication, highlighting the importance of transparency, accuracy, and ethical responsibility in messaging about regulated substances.
Impact & Relevance to Strategic Communication:
Key Contributions & Skills Demonstrated:
Ethics & Compliance:
Crafted study protocols ensuring regulatory compliance and participant safety.
Emphasized informed consent, including clear, understandable risk disclosure and contingency planning.
Health & Risk Communication:
Translated complex scientific and regulatory information into audience-appropriate messaging for IRBs, clinicians, and potential participants.
Developed materials that clearly conveyed study benefits, limitations, and potential risks, reflecting principles of crisis and health communication.
Strategic & Analytical Thinking:
Designed a trial that balances scientific rigor with practical and ethical considerations.
Evaluated multiple risk factors in cannabis inhalation, including exposure to unwanted compounds beyond cannabinoids.
Risk communication & crisis management
Health literacy & ethical messaging
Regulatory compliance in high-risk research
Translating scientific complexity for diverse audiences